Built by Cliff Fitch, this is a Fitch Masters Five bluegrass style five string banjo built during 2007 near Forth Worth, Texas. It is in very good overall condition with expected play wear, and light to moderate fret wear in the low positions. Using the Mastertone 5-string concepts, the Fitch Masters Five features a figured Maple resonator covering a stained Maple rim.
Banjos
Following its original form as an A.C Fairbanks product, the Fairbanks Vega Whyte Laydie featured a natural finish on the maple neck and pot which provided its name. However, the real innovation was the Whyte Ladyie tone ring and bracket band, reducing the number of holes drilled and adding mass to the pot.
The Deering GDL – the Greg Deering Limited – Walnut 5-string banjo sits near the top of the line for production models. It is a spectacular illustration of the state of the Banjo art. For materials, the resonator features a Burl Walnut veneer, a Maple rim and Walnut neck with bound Ebony fingerboard.
The Daniels Zither 5-String Banjo was built during the 1890’s in London England – pre-UK – by Joe Daniels using his patents for the pot and tailpiece tensioner. This fascinating instrument features a 9 inch head on a nickel plated metal rim and resonator.
Here’s a Pattison Pattiphone Walnut Frailing Banjo featuring a wooden tone ring and 12-inch pot, built during 2019 near Guelph, Ontario. The Pattison Pattiphone is a relatively simple and lightweight instrument, and very well built.
This Vega Pete Seeger banjo was purchased by American composer Earl Robinson in 1966 while he was writing his ‘Concerto for Five String Banjo’. This was first performed by the Boston Pops orchestra under Arthur Fiedler. From the late 1930’s into the 1960’s, Earl Robinson composed a number of well known, largely topical pieces including ‘Joe Hill’ ‘Ballad for Americans’, ‘Black and White’ and ‘Lonesome Train’, performed by many top artists.
The Vega Longneck Pete Seeger banjo was built from 1958 to 1970, following Seeger’s influence on the popularity of the banjo and his need to play in lower keys without retuning. This Vega Longneck Pete Seeger banjo, built during 1962 at the Vega shop in Boston is in good working order. The neck has been refinished, Capo tacks are installed, also a Presto tailpiece, with the original in the case.
Here we have a Vega FW5 Folk Wonder, factory converted as new to a Vega Senator. At the time this banjo was built, the Vega name and facilities were owned by the C F Martin guitar company, and a few years later Martin built some higher end Vega banjos in Nazareth PA. The Vega name is now owned by the Deering company, who manufacture excellent Vega models.
The Deering Clawgrass No.2 Banjo model was created when Mark Johnson approached Deering with one vision in mind – to offer the same solid foundation, quality, tone and playability of his original, but at a more affordable price point.
The new Vega Vintage Star open back banjo by Deering has arrived, featuring a classic Dobson-style tone ring, Ebony fingerboard and Satin finish! At the heart of the Vintage Star lies a stunning Dobson tone ring. Originally patented by Henry Dobson in 1881, the Dobson balances the low ends with clear highs, and adds just the right amount of sustain to the banjo. The brass Dobson glows from behind the renaissance head, which itself sits on a thinner walled, 12” violin grade maple rim. A knotless tailpiece tops off the set up to produce a classic old-time tone.
New from the Deering Banjo Company: the Deering Eagle II 5-String Banjo! Available on a limited basis through Master and Premiere level dealers, we are proud to say the Twelfth Fret is the only place in Canada to find this wonderful new banjo! With the Eagle II, Deering has created a banjo with a tonal range unlike anything they have made before. Deering banjos have always been known for their clear, bright attack.
The Deering Calico Banjo is possibly the most beautiful banjo in the entire Deering lineup! With an elegantly simple inlay package, Deering lets the AAA flame maple and amber shaded finish do all the talking. Nicely dressed up, but not overdressed! The Deering Calico banjo is a Top Level professional model that uses the best woods and materials throughout.
The Gold Tone EBM-5 is a unique F-style 5-string electric banjo that looks as good as it sounds. The EBM-5, like a normal banjo, has an extremely fast response allowing hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides to be accomplished with incredible ease. Even unplugged, this electric banjo has an excellent banjo tone due to the hollow sound chamber within the body.
The Deering Goodtime Six is a 6 string, steel string banjo, that tunes like a guitar and features a fast, sleek, and comfortable guitar style neck that feels like an old friend. The Goodtime Six harnesses Deering’s 41 years of banjo know how to put a much needed quality American made 6 string banjo within reach of any guitarist looking to add an authentic banjo sound to their arsenal without breaking the bank
The Vega Little Wonder Open Back 5 String Banjo is an excellent, entry level but high quality instrument built by Deering in Spring Valley, California with all the quality of a Deering.
Built using a Maple for the rim and neck, with an Ebony fingerboard, a truss rod and 11 inch pot, the Vega Little Wonder is ideal for Frailing and Clawgrass styles. It is also available with a scooped neck. A 12 inch pot is also available, providing a deeper tone.
The Deering White Lotus 5-String Banjo by Deering is a resonator back model with no exotic woods, just White Oak and Maple. The bluegrass inspired White Lotus banjo, named for its lotus flower inspired inlay pattern, is centered around the patented white oak rim. Notably lacking a traditional heavy tone ring, the natural white oak rim closely recreates a bright, crisp bluegrass punch, ushering in a new era in playing comfort and sound for today’s banjo player.
Here’s a new item – the Vega White Oak 12 Inch Open Back Banjo by Deering, also available in 11 inch.. This is a lightweight open back model with no exotic woods, just Oak and Maple.
The Deering Vega Old Tyme Wonder is built for Clawhammer banjoists who prefer a scooped neck to ease plucking their banjos over the fingerboard. This traditional open back banjo is available with an 11 or 12 inch rim. The 12 inch rim provides a warmer, thicker ‘Old Tyme’ sound. Deering builds in a traditional ‘frailing scoop’ that allows more room for the fingers and thumb of the right hand to pluck the strings over the fingerboard.
Greg Deering says about the Deering Sierra Model 5 string banjo: “No one can buy a better banjo…they could buy a fancier one, but not a better one! ” Built with the same Deering -06- 20 Hole Bronze Tone Ring, three ply maple rim and one piece, cast, zinc resonator flange that are built into our top of the line banjos like the Calico, GDL and Ivanhoe, the Sierra is “A masterpiece of playability!”.
The Vega Senator banjo is the perfect “crossover” and parlor banjo. It is a light-weight, classic open back banjo, with a warm, woody tone with a lightweight tone ring that adds just enough punch and high-end clarity to play bluegrass with your buddies but warm, fat and woody enough to play in your parlor as a classic clawhammer or fingerstyle solo instrument.
The Deering Goodtime banjo produces a vibrant ringing tone from its natural finished violin grade maple rim. At only 4 pounds, the weight makes it ideal for both children and adults to play and to travel with conveniently. The Deering Goodtime openback banjo is warm, woody and full sounding – it’s a great sounding clawhammer banjo for advanced players.
The Deering Banjo Company is now offering the Deering Sierra Maple 5-String Banjo – their most popular Sierra model banjo in maple! Deering has become one of the largest and most respected American banjo manufacturers and we’re very happy to see these models.
Often called a banjolele, the Deering Goodtime Banjo Concert Scale Ukulele simply strum a few chords and you will be taken to a land without the stress and distractions of the daily routine. The nylon strings make playing easy on your fingers and the small size and light weight allows you to take this instrument with you literally anywhere – the beach, the office, camping, boating – you name it!
The Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star banjo is the top of the Deering line and one of the finest banjos in the world. This banjo is named after Ten Broeks, the famous American race horse – winner of the July 4 1878 race at what is now Churchill Downs, and the subject of the traditional song ‘Molly and Tenbrooks’.
The Deering company of Lemon Grove California has been one of the most respected manufacturer of high-end banjos for decades. Their Vega line of open-back clawhammer banjos including the Vega Old Tyme Wonder are packed with features and priced very modestly. The latest model in the Vega banjo line is the “Old Tyme Wonder” which features a hand applied ‘Warm Brown’ stain over highly flamed maple finished with a matte lacquer.
The Deering Golden Wreath 5 String banjo is a beautiful instrument that is an accurate reproduction of the classic banjos of the 1930’s, but at a fraction of the originals cost. Normally the Deering Golden Wreath is built with Mahogany, but for the last several years Deering has been custom building the Golden Wreath in Walnut for The Twelfth Fret.
The Deering Rustic Wreath is a new 5-string banjo model, bringing the construction and tonal qualities of top line instruments like the Golden Era at a more affordable price. This is largely done by reducing the decoration and finishing costs, but not altering the structure.Built using a traditional Maple neck with Ebony fingerboard, and 3-ply violin grade Maple rim with Deering -06- 20-Hole bell bronze tone ring, and Deering hardware – the Deering Rustic Wreath essentially a Deering Golden Era in different clothing.
he Deering Golden Era 5 String Banjo is an accurate reproduction of the classic banjos of the 1930’s made with the same materials and the same weight, design and features of the originals. It is comparable with competitive banjos costing considerably more and far more accurate to the original models than other current production banjos. For the classic sound, appearance and feel of the prized banjos from the 1930’s, at a fraction of an originals’ cost, the Golden Era is the premier choice.
The stunning Deering Artisan Goodtime banjo embodies Greg Deering’s lifelong vision for the Deering Banjo Company – to make the best sounding, best playing, best looking, and best value U.S.A. made banjo that he possibly could.
Terry Baucom, the Duke of Drive, joins the Deering Banjo Company in introducing his dynamic walnut, signature, 5-string banjo available now at authorized dealers throughout the world. Crafted from elegant, plain walnut, trimmed in ivoroid with black and white accent stripes, bearing a regal inlay pattern designed by Greg Deering, and set up to Terry’s personal specifications, Terry says of his signature model, “Every time it goes on stage it seems to get better.”
This stunning Deering Artisan Goodtime Special Resonator Banjo has the look of an older banjo with the rich brown stain, Deering fiddle shaped peghead and planetary banjo tuners. The Classic Special can be heard with a sweet voice with sustain that compliments all the instruments in a band.
The patented Special Tone Ring found beneath the American made beauty of the Deering Artisan Goodtime Special Openback makes it louder and brighter than the standard openback model and is great for players who like to jam and want to be heard. The rich brown stain, planetary tuners, and Deering peg head shape gives the classic look of a vintage banjo. Featuring Midnight Maple Fingerboard and Vintage Artisan inspired inlays.
With a resonator back for projection, the American made Deering Artisan Goodtime Two banjo has a 3-ply violin grade maple rim and produces a bright and clear tone that projects well and is louder than its open back counterpart.
The Deering Goodtime Artisan Americana features a 12” rim, which gives the banjo a stronger bass response and a much warmer open back banjo tone. Played with an old time style technique, the Goodtime Artisan Americana is reminiscent of banjos from a period when larger rims were more prevalent which makes the 12” a great setup for playing old time music.
There is some remarkable tonal magic going on here with the Deering Goodtime Special Banjo with resonator. The new steel tone ring combined with the unique Goodtime flange and red maple rim is the perfect combination for a classic professional Bluegrass tone. This newly Patented Goodtime Special Tone Ring designed by Deering produces a powerfully crisp, bright, sparkling tone
The Deering Goodtime Americana™ is the first 5-string banjo from Deering to be fitted with their new Grand 12” rim, which gives the banjo a stronger bass response and a much warmer tone. The fullness and warmth of the larger rim is further enhanced by the addition of a 12” Renaissance head which beautifully complements the banjo both visually and sonically.
The Goodtime Special Openback banjo produces a more powerful and brighter tone because it is made with Deering patented steel tone ring. There is some remarkable tonal magic going on here: The new steel tone ring combined with the unique Goodtime flange and red maple rim is the perfect combination for a classic professional Bluegrass tone.
The Goodtime Two has a natural blonde maple with a satin finish to protect it. The rich, golden tone and the reverberation off the resonator sound great. You can definitely tell a volume difference between open back and a Goodtime Two.
The Gold Tone OB-250 has everything needed to produce THAT tone: a sand-cast bell brass flathead tone ring, a cast one-piece resonator flange circling a multi-ply maple rim with twin coordinator rods and an extra-deep curly maple multi-ply resonator for better low-end response. The curly maple neck has a bound ebony fretboard with hearts & flowers inlay. The bracket hooks even have metric threading to enable finer tension adjustment. “
Here we have a Nechville Galaxy Phantom 5-string banjo in flamed maple! While retaining traditional banjo values, these instruments introduce cutting edge features. A compound radius fingerboard, top quality fretwork with larger frets, tunneled 5th string with roller, the Cyclotronic head-tuning system and Pro-Tone Bronze Tone Ring are some of the advanced elements that make these instruments stand out.
The Gold Tone OB-150 Orange Blossom is a ‘Pre-war’ style 5-string banjo with authentic tone and superb playability and at a price anyone can afford.
For the Deering John Hartford 5-String Banjo, Greg Deering combined years of experience with John Hartford’s research into the design of vintage banjos.
Deering has done it again with this innovative variation on their Sierra Bluegrass banjo! By simply eliminating the heavy flange and resonator the Sierra open-back offers a voice very much in the spirit of the famed Vega #2 Tubaphone at a far lower price.
The Nechville Atlas is hybrid banjo with a unique pot and Nechvilles patent pending adjustable neck design. The Walnut block-rim construction and wooden flange give this banjo a earthy appearance and smooth ergonomic feel. The Nechville fraling thumb scoop allows players to double thumb in that sweet spot without losing the top frets common with a typical scoop. The Cocobolo tone ring has a similar mass to a light weight metal tone ring providing similar sustain with a much warmer timbre. This instrument has the full fat sound of a 12″ pot with added clarity providing great depth, resonance and sustain. The Saturn and Stars inlay and hand rubbed oil finish complete this great looking and sounding banjo!
Nechville Musical Products has been in business since 1989, manufacturing professional banjos and related accessories for the booming acoustic and electric string instrument market. They have gained a respected reputation among the nation’s top builders as being a leader in innovation and design. Nechville owns patents on the unique Heli-mount banjo design which has been enthusiastically accepted by some of the world’s top players such as Bela Fleck and Alison Brown!
The Vega No.2 open back Tubaphone banjo is unquestionably one of the most unique banjos in the history of this young and growing instrument. Touted by some as the ultimate banjo tone, it is prized for its full, round and yet sparkling tone and for its depth, responsiveness and power. For years only affluent collectors could afford Tubaphone banjos made early in the 20th century.
The Deering Tenbrooks Banjo:the Saratoga Star shares all of the upgraded hardware and unparalleled Tenbrooks tone ring from the Rüetschi Bell Foundry, but features a highly flamed maple neck and resonator. Most players agree that a maple neck and resonator add a subtle degree of brightness and clarity to the overall tonality of a banjo. While the Tenbrooks Legacy is a very powerful instrument that will be heard within any band mix, it also has a slightly rounder overall tonality. The Tenbrooks Sarasota Star was developed for the professional who wants slightly more edge with a brighter tone!
For the John Hartford Model, Greg Deering’s years of experience with various woods combined with John Hartford’s research into the design of vintage banjos culminated in the idea of using a “Grenadillo tone-ring” made from a wood used on marimbas. This unique tone-ring is mounted on a three-ply maple rim with a zinc flange to create lighter weight (8 lbs instead of 11or 12) banjo; a very good choice for bluegrass as well as other styles! The Hartford sounds like a vintage pre-war banjo when new but also as it ages, it “plays-in” like a violin and gains in volume and presence the more it is played. We’ve seen it out-do even the best bronze tone-ring banjos in jam sessions!
Pick it in the parlor, in the park, or any where you go -the Deering Goodtime Parlor Banjo is lightweight and made with a shorter scale to meet a variety of needs for today’s banjo players! Reminiscent of the shorter scale banjos that were popular in the 1890’s, the Goodtime Parlor banjo is a 19 fret, 5-string rock maple banjo that weighs only 4 pounds in the openback version and a mere 5 pounds with a resonator model.